Eoin Glackin
Album: Rain Finally Came
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.eoinglackin.com

I had never heard of Eoin Glackin up to the time that I volunteered to review his new album so I thought that I had better find out a bit more about him.

Whilst doing a bit of research on him before listening to the album I read that his passion for music led him to the songbooks of Dylan, Springsteen and The Beatles. This gave me a slight concern as, assuming it referred to Bob Dylan and not Dylan Thomas, I have to admit that I cannot stand Bob Dylan. Sacrilege to many I know but his voice always grated on me. Anyway, on listening to the album I think it refers to the storytelling side of Dylan rather than the music.

Eoin is one of a number of talented artists to come out of the Emerald Isle. Based on this album alone he is a real storyteller and troubadour. He writes and sings with real passion. The track "Mrs Campbell" shows his deep thinking and sensitive side. This is a very sad story about the shooting of an innocent young plumber in Ireland, when the real target was a gangland boss, Martyn Hyland. It is about a Mother's pain and is a wonderful song and tribute to Alan.

I did not expect an album to contain references to both Ninja Turtles and Jack the Ripper. They are not in the same song however I should add! The music is a mixture of folk, rock and a touch of blues on "No one had a light." This song alone has some of the most imaginative lyrics I have heard in a long time and paints a wonderful portrait of an Irish street in the evening. The Virgin Mary is mentioned in the lyrics of the song about Ninja Turtles. I am not sure how Eoin's mind works but to weave the Mother of Christ into a song about turtles takes pure genius.

I understand that Eoin is at his happiest when he is on stage. I can imagine that as I feel his words and music would have more impact live when he can tell his stories and explain the backgrounds of his songs to an audience. I have never met him, as I said I had never heard of him before this, but I imagine he would be great company for an evening. His range of stories and anecdotes must be as wide as the Atlantic Ocean.

Eoin is an accomplished self-taught musician and is supported by a number of other equally talented musicians, presumably all Irish too. The whole package makes for a superbly varied and well produced album.

I just have one minor criticism of the album and Eoin in particular. At times he strains his voice too much, at least for my taste, when a softer approach would bring even more strength to some of the lyrics. Perhaps a little picky for an album containing undoubtedly some of the best lyrics that almost any listener will have heard.

Rory Stanbridge